Pubdate: Fri, 13 Mar 2009 Source: Independent (UK) Copyright: 2009 Independent Newspapers (UK) Ltd. Contact: http://www.independent.co.uk/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/209 Author: Kirk Muse THE SPREAD OF AIDS If all recreational drugs were re-legalised and sold in regulated business establishments for pennies per dose, crime would decline dramatically. And I believe that our overall hard drug usage rates would decline substantially. Drug dealers as we know them today would disappear for economic reasons. The first time almost all drug users use a particular drug, they don't buy it; either a friend or dealer gives it to them. Most retail drug dealers are addicts themselves. They sell drugs to finance their own habit and recruit new users by offering free samples. With the end of prohibition, this practice would end. Kirk Muse Mesa, Arizona, USA - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom